Boss Paul Warne's disappointment as Rotherham United v Derby County match falls victim to weather

A WATERLOGGED pitch saw Rotherham United's Championship clash with Derby County at AESSEAL New York Stadium called off tonight.

Referee Jeremy Simpson held two inspections before deciding the contest couldn't go ahead less than an hour before kick-off.

There had been heavy snowfall but the surface was clear and it was the subsequent torrential rain that made the pitch unplayable.

Millers manager Paul Warne and Rams boss Wayne Rooney were consulted by the ref and both agreed with the postponement.

"I'm really disappointed that the game is off," Warne said. "We'd prepped for it and we were ready. Plus, a Saturday-Tuesday schedule is better for us than Saturday-Wednesday.

"Both teams would have liked to have played, but the referee has made the right decision. Player safety is paramount and there is no way the match could have gone ahead.

"I feel for all the people who spent all day clearing the pitch of snow only for the rain to come down."

There was standing water on the surface as official Simpson, Warne and Rooney gathered together on the pitch and the weather forecast was for more rain to come.

The game, already postponed once, in December, because of coronavirus cases in the Rotherham camp, will now be rearranged.